A Prospective, Open Label Study Evaluating Two Management Strategies on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients Newly on Treatment With Pradaxa for the Prevention of Stroke and Systemic Embolism With Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation

This is a prospective and open label study that aims to enroll approximately 1200 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) not previously treated with Pradaxa® and free of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) for at least 2 weeks prior to enrolment. Approximately 125 sites in North America will be recruited. Patients who report GIS during the 3 month treatment period will be randomized to one of two management strategies, and data documenting the intensity and duration of the GIS will be collected.

Patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation for whom Pradaxa is indicated in accordance with the current local label, not previously treated with Pradaxa, will be provided 3 months of treatment for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism. Patients who report gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) will be randomized to one of two management strategies, and data documenting the intensity and duration of the GIS will be collected.

Drug: Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate)

150 mg or 75 mg b.i.d. (150 mg or 110 mg b.i.d. in Canada)

Active Comparator: Pradaxa and pantoprazole

Patients that develop gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) will be randomized 1:1 to either pantoprazole 40 mg q.a.m., p.o., or taking Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) within 30 minutes after a meal

Drug: pantoprazole

40 mg q.a.m, p.o.

Drug: Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate)

150 mg or 75 mg b.i.d.

Active Comparator: Pradaxa, 30 minutes after a meal

Patients that develop gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) will be randomized 1:1 to either pantoprazole 40 mg q.a.m., p.o., or taking Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) within 30 minutes after a meal

Drug: Pradaxa, within 30 minutes after a meal

Patients randomized to this intervention would be instructed to take their dabigatran 30 minutes after a meal

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion criteria:

Documented non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) for whom Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) is indicated per the current local label, but who have not received treatment with Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate), or who have not been started on Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) more than 7 days prior to potential enrolment in the study. NVAF may be documented by 12-lead electrocardiogram, rhythm strip, pacemaker/ implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) electrograms or Holter monitoring

Male and female patients, age greater than or equal to 18 years at entry

Written, informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

History within 2 weeks of any of the following gastrointestinal (GI) disorders: heartburn, indigestion, gastritis, upper abdominal pain or discomfort, or gastroesophageal reflux requiring the use of proton pump inhibitors, histamine-2 receptor blockers or antacids. Patients with nausea and/or vomiting within the 2 weeks are not excluded if the symptoms were clearly associated with a self-limited acute or febrile illness. Short-term use of PPIs, as prophylaxis, in a hospital setting for the prevention of stress ulcers is acceptable. Calcium carbonate supplements for calcium replacement is not exclusionary (as long as these products are being used as calcium supplementation/replacement and are not being used to treat or relieve GIS.)

GI bleeding within one year or any history of symptomatic or endoscopically documented gastroduodenal ulcer or diverticulitis, unless the cause has been permanently eliminated by medical therapy or by surgery(e.g., patients with peptic ulcer disease with endoscopically proven cure after therapy or lower GI bleeding due to diverticulosis cured by segmental colectomy are not excluded.)

Pre-menopausal women (last menstruation less than or equal to 1 year prior to informed consent) who: are nursing or pregnant, or are of child bearing potential and are not practicing an acceptable method of birth control, or do not plan to continue using this method throughout the study. Acceptable methods of birth control include abstinence, tubal ligation, transdermal patch, intra uterine devices/systems (IUDs/IUSs), oral implantable or injectable contraceptives, double barrier method and vasectomized partner.

Patients who have received an investigational drug in the past 30 days or are participating in another drug study

Patients considered unreliable by the investigator concerning the requirements for follow-up during the study

Any condition the investigator believes would not allow safe participation in the study

Contraindication in patients with mechanical heart valves. The use of Pradaxa in the setting of other forms of valvular heart disease, including the presence of a bio-prosthetic valve, is not recommended.

Contacts and Locations

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01493557